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The American people have certainly noticed; according to Gallup, 80 percent disapprove of Congress.

We can’t let 535 people continue to limit the progress of a nation of more than 300 million.

I believe that problems on this scale are usually caused by structural failures. Our electoral process has created perverse incentives that have warped our democracy and empowered special interests and a vocal minority.

Congressional dysfunction is the logical result of closed primaries, too many gerrymandered one-party seats and low-turnout elections.

To address these problems, I filed the Open Our Democracy Act in July. If passed, the legislation would mandate open primaries for House elections, begin the process of national redistricting reform and make Election Day the equivalent of a federal holiday.

Step one is giving independents and moderates a voice.

Around the country, we select candidates using a partisan primary filter, then act surprised when the huge portion of the electorate that isn’t ideological is unhappy with its general-election options.

My legislation would open House primaries to allow all voters to participate in one race, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.

Such a system is much more likely to send pragmatic bridge-builders to Washington.

Because of low turnout, candidates in traditional, closed primaries have an incentive to appeal only to the most committed — and ideological — voters. In an open primary, the electoral math changes, and reaching out to swing voters becomes more important.

Step two is redistricting reform. Gerrymandering has turned the vast majority of House districts into one-party enclaves whose representatives’ main concern is making the most rabid faction of their parties happy.

Not only do safe districts encourage the election of members who won’t compromise, they rely on irrational boundaries to achieve their goals. When this happens, communities lose their vote in Congress.

My bill would direct the Government Accountability Office to examine the feasibility of national standards for drawing district lines. Let’s examine what works and develop a framework.

Step three is to make it easier to vote.

My bill treats Election Day as a federal holiday so more Americans can participate.

In the past, divided government didn’t mean open political warfare. The Highway Act, the Clean Water Act, tax reform and the Americans With Disabilities Act were accomplished under divided government. We can get there again.

Let’s make the House of Representatives actually representative.

John K. Delaney, a Democrat, represents Maryland’s 6th Congressional District in the House.